Zone switching in mixed-zone air interface

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of a system and method for wireless communication are provided. In certain embodiments, a base station provides a first zone using a first version of the communication standard and a second zone using a second version of the communication standard. In certain embodiments, the base station determines whether a mobile station communicating with the base station in the first zone can support the second version of the communication standard used in the second zone. When the mobile station can support the second version of the communication standard, the base station can send a command to switch the mobile station to the second zone.

This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e)to U.S. Application Ser. No. 61/156,882, filed on Mar. 3, 2009, which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

On occasion wireless standards are updated for various reasons. Once theupdate is approved by the reviewing committee, the update is released asnew version of the standard. For example, the Institute of Electricaland Electronics Engineers (IEEE) developed the 802.16 standard forwireless broadband communication. The 802.16 standard has releasedseveral versions including 802.16e for mobile wireless devices. A futureversion of 802.16 includes 802.16m having support for higher data ratesbetween a subscriber and a provider device. Another standard that hasreleased several versions includes the Long-Term Evolution (LTE). Eachversion of LTE is referred to as a release number (e.g., release number8).

Typically a new version of a standard requires any device conforming tothe new version to also be backward compatible and operate on olderversions of the standard. Thus, the communication networks can beupdated in a piecemeal fashion with devices supporting the new versionoperating alongside devices that only support the older versions. Thisallows providers to spread out the cost of updating their network over aperiod of time. This also allows a user to use an older subscriberdevice on a network supporting a new version.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a wireless system having a plurality ofmobile stations in communication with a mixed zone base station.

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate examples of communication frames for wirelesscommunication between the plurality of mobile stations and a mixed zonebase station.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a method for wireless communicationbetween a mobile station of FIG. 1 and the base stations of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a method for basic switching of acommunication session from a first zone to a second zone of a basestation.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a method for seamless zone switchingfrom a first zone to a second zone of a base station.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a method for hybrid zone switching froma first zone to a second zone of a base station.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description and the drawings sufficiently illustratespecific embodiments to enable those skilled in the art to practicethem. Other embodiments may incorporate structural, logical, electrical,process, and other changes. Portions and features of some embodimentsmay be included in, or substituted for, those of other embodiments.Embodiments set forth in the claims encompass all available equivalentsof those claims.

The present inventors have recognized, among other things, that aprotocol for handoff of a mobile station from a base station supportingonly a legacy version of a communication standard (also referred toherein as a “legacy single zone base station”) to a base stationsupporting both the legacy version and a newer version of thecommunication standard (also referred to herein as an “advanced mixedzone base station”) is needed.

FIG. 1 illustrates one example of a wireless communication system 100.The wireless communication system 100 can include a plurality of mobilestations 102, 103 in wireless communication with one or more basestations 104, 105. Each mobile station 102, 103 can include a memory 106for storage of instructions 108 for execution on processing circuitry110 of the mobile stations 102, 103. The instructions 108 can comprisesoftware configured to cause the mobile stations 102, 103 to performactions for wireless communication between the mobile stations 102, 103and the base stations 104, 105. In an example, the instructions 108 caninclude instructions for implementing a first version and/or a secondversion of a communication standard as explained in greater detailbelow. Each mobile station 102, 103 can also include an RF transceiver112 for transmission and reception of signals coupled to an antenna 114for radiation of sensing of signals for the RF transceiver 112.

In an example, the mobile stations 102, 103 can be configured to operatein accordance with one or more frequency bands and/or standards profilesincluding a Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX)standards profile, a WCDMA standards profile, a 3G HSPA standardsprofile, and a Long Term Evolution (LTE) standards profile. In someexamples, the mobile stations 102, 103 can be configured to communicatein accordance with specific communication standards, such as theInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) standards. Inparticular, the mobile stations 102, 103 can be configured to operate inaccordance with one or more versions of the IEEE 802.16 communicationstandard (also referred to herein as the “802.16 standard”) for wirelessmetropolitan area networks (WMANs) including variations and evolutionsthereof. For example, the mobile stations 102, 103 can be configured tocommunicate using the IEEE 802.16-2004, the IEEE 802.16(e), and/or the802.16(m) versions of the 802.16 standard. In some examples, the mobilestations 102, 103 can be configured to communicate in accordance withone or more versions of the Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network(UTRAN) Long Term Evolution (LTE) communication standards, including LTErelease 8, LTE release 9, and future releases. For more information withrespect to the IEEE 802.16 standards, please refer to “IEEE Standardsfor Information Technology—Telecommunications and Information Exchangebetween Systems”—Metropolitan Area Networks—Specific Requirements—Part16: “Air Interface for Fixed Broadband Wireless Access Systems,” May2005 and related amendments/versions. For more information with respectto UTRAN LTE standards, see the 3rd Generation Partnership Project(3GPP) standards for UTRAN-LTE, release 8, Mar. 2008, includingvariations and later versions (releases) thereof.

In some examples, RF transceiver 112 can be configured to communicateorthogonal frequency division multiplexed (OFDM) communication signalswhich comprise a plurality of orthogonal subcarriers. In some of thesemulticarrier examples, the mobile stations 102, 103 can be a broadbandwireless access (BWA) network communication station, such as a WorldwideInteroperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) communication station. Inother broadband multicarrier examples, the mobile stations 102, 103 canbe a 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Universal TerrestrialRadio Access Network (UTRAN) Long-Term-Evolution (LTE) communicationstation. In these broadband multicarrier examples, the mobile stations102, 103 can be configured to communicate in accordance with anorthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) technique.

In other examples, the mobile stations 102, 103 can be configured tocommunicate using one or more other modulation techniques such as spreadspectrum modulation (e.g., direct sequence code division multiple access(DS-CDMA) and/or frequency hopping code division multiple access(FH-CDMA)), time-division multiplexing (TDM) modulation, and/orfrequency-division multiplexing (FDM) modulation.

In some examples, the mobile stations 102, 103 can be a personal digitalassistant (PDA), a laptop or portable computer with wirelesscommunication capability, a web tablet, a wireless telephone, a wirelessheadset, a pager, an instant messaging device, a digital camera, anaccess point, a television, a medical device (e.g., a heart ratemonitor, a blood pressure monitor, etc.), or other device that canreceive and/or transmit information wirelessly.

In an example, the base stations 104, 105 can include a memory 116 forstorage of instructions 118 for execution on processing circuitry 119 ofthe base stations 104, 105. The instructions 118 can comprise softwareconfigured to cause the base stations 104, 105 to perform actions forwireless communication with the plurality of mobile stations 102, 103and for communication with another communication network 124 (e.g. aplain old telephone service (POTS) network). In an example, theinstructions 118 can include instructions for implementing a firstversion and/or a second version of a communication standard as explainedin greater detail below. The base stations 104, 105 can also include anRF transceiver 120 for transmission to and from the mobile stations 102,103 and an antenna 122 communicatively coupled to the RF transceiver120. In certain examples, the RF transceiver 120 and the antenna 122 canbe housed in the same location as the memory 116 and the processingcircuitry 119, and in other examples, the RF transceiver 120 (orportions thereof) and/or antenna 122 can be located remotely from thememory 116 and the processing circuitry 119, such as in a distributedbase station.

In some examples, the RF transceiver 120 can be configured tocommunicate OFDM communication signals which comprise a plurality oforthogonal subcarriers, and, in particular, an OFDMA technique. In otherexamples, the RF transceiver 120 can be configured to communicate usingone or more other modulation techniques such as spread spectrummodulation (e.g., DS-CDMA and/or FH-CDMA), TDM modulation, and/or FDMmodulation.

In an example, the base stations 104, 105 can be configured to operatein accordance with one or more frequency bands/carriers and/or standardsprofiles including a WiMAX standards profile, a WCDMA standards profile,a 3G HSPA standards profile, and an LTE standards profile. In someexamples, the base stations 104, 105 can be configured to communicate inaccordance with specific communication standards, such as the IEEEstandards. In particular, the base stations 104, 105 can be configuredto operate in accordance with one or more versions of the 802.16including variations and evolutions thereof. For example, the basestations 104, 105 can be configured to communicate using the IEEE802.16-2004, the IEEE 802.16(e), and/or the 802.16(m) versions of the802.16 standard. In some examples, the base stations 104, 105 can beconfigured to communicate in accordance with one or more versions of theUTRAN LTE communication standards, including LTE release 8 and LTErelease 9.

In an example, the base station 104 can communicate with the mobilestations 102, 103 using only a single version of a communicationstandard (referred to herein as a “single zone base station”). In anexample, the base station 105 can communicate with the mobile stations102, 103 using two or more versions of a communication standard(referred to herein as a “mixed zone base station”). In an example, amixed zone base station 105 provides first and second zones forcommunicating with the mobile stations 102, 103. In the first zone, thebase station 105 communicates with the mobile stations 102, 103 using afirst version of a communication standard. In the second zone, the basestation communicates with the mobile stations 102, 103 using a secondversion of the communication standard. For example, the base station 105can communicate using the 802.16(e) version of the 802.16 standard inthe first zone and the 802.16(m) version in the second zone. The mixedzone base station 104 can communicate concurrently with mobile stations102 in the first zone and the second zone. That is, in a singlecommunication frame, the mixed zone base station 104 can communicatewith both the mobile station 102 in the first zone using the firstversion of the communication standard and the mobile station 103 in thesecond zone using the second version of the communication standard.

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate examples of communication frames 200 and 250for wireless communication between the plurality of mobile stations 102and the mixed zone base station 105. The frame 200 illustrates anexample frame for a time division duplex (TDD) scheme and frame 250illustrates an example frame for a frequency division duplex (FDD)scheme.

The TDD frame 200 shown in FIG. 2A includes first and second downlinksubframes 202, 203 and first and second uplink subframes 204, 205. Thefirst and second downlink subframes 202, 203, and the first and seconduplink subframes 204, 205 are transmitted at separate times over thesame frequency range. The first downlink subframe 202 and the firstuplink subframe 204 correspond to a first zone of the base station 105,and the second downlink subframe 203 and the second uplink subframe 205correspond to a second zone of the base station 105. The TDD frame 200also includes two guard zones 206 between the downlink subframes 203,204, and the uplink subframes 204, 205. The downlink subframes 202, 203include signals transmitted by the base station 105 to the mobilestations 102, 103. In other examples, more than two downlink subframesor more than two uplink subframes. The TDD frame 200 can include aplurality of slots and/or sub-channels for assignment to differentmobile stations 102, 103 and/or different communication sessions.

In an example, the mobile station 102 is communicating in the first zoneand the mobile station 103 is communicating in the second zone.Accordingly, the downlink subframe 202 can include signals transmittedby the base station 105 using the first version of the communicationstandard and received by the mobile station 102. Likewise, the downlinksubframe 203 can include signals transmitted by the base station 105using the second version of the communication standard and received bythe mobile station 103. Similarly, the uplink subframe 204 can includesignals transmitted by the mobile station 102 using the first version ofthe communication standard and the uplink subframe 205 can includesignals transmitted by the mobile station 103 using the second versionof the communication standard.

The FDD frame 250 shown in FIG. 2B includes a first downlink subframe252 for communications using a first version of the communicationstandard and a second downlink subframe 253 for communications using asecond version of the communication subframe. The FDD frame 250 alsoincludes a first uplink subframe 254 for communications using a firstversion of the communication standard and a second uplink subframe 255for communications using a second version of the communication standard.The first and second downlink subframes 252, 253 are transmitted over afirst frequency band/carrier and the first and second uplink subframes254, 255 are transmitted over a second frequency band/carrier. Thedownlink subframes 252, 253 are transmitted concurrently with the uplinksubframes 254, 255. The FDD frame 500 can include a plurality of slotsand/or sub-channels for assignment to different mobile stations 102, 103and/or different communication sessions.

In an example, the downlink subframe 252 can include signals transmittedby the base station 105 using the first version of the communicationstandard and received by the mobile station 102. Likewise, the downlinksubframe 253 can include signals transmitted by the base station 105using the second version of the communication standard and received bythe mobile station 103. Similarly, the uplink subframe 254 can includesignals transmitted by the mobile station 102 using the first version ofthe communication standard and the uplink subframe 255 can includesignals transmitted by the mobile station 103 using the second versionof the communication standard.

In an example, the mobile station 102 supports both a first version(e.g., 802.16(e)) of a communication standard and a second version(e.g., 802.16(m)) of a communication standard. The mobile station 102uses the first version of the communication standard when the mobilestation 102 is communicating with the single zone base station 104 whichsupports only a first version of the communication standard. The mobilestation 102 also uses the first version of the communication standardwhen communicating in the first zone of the mixed zone base station 105.The mobile station 102 uses the second version of the communicationstandard when communicating in the second zone of the mixed zone basestation 105.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a method 300 for wireless communicationbetween the mobile station 102 and the base stations 104, 105. Inparticular, method 300 illustrates an example of a handoff of acommunication session for the mobile station 102 from the single zonebase station 104 to the mixed zone base station 105.

At block 302, a communication session is provided by the single zonebase station 104 for the mobile station 102. In an example, thecommunication session can include a voice session (e.g., a phone call),and/or a data session (e.g., an internet connection, voice over IP,streaming video). In an example, the communication session can beidentified by a connection ID (CID) assigned by the base station 104. Inan example, the communication session can include a data plane and acontrol plane. The data plane comprises the signals having payload data(e.g., the voice signal) for the voice session of data session. In anexample, the payload data is routed through the base station 104 to/fromthe mobile station 102 and another device coupled to the network 124.The control plane comprises the signals having control information(e.g., channel allocations) for the communication session. In anexample, the control information is generated by and sent from the basestation 104 to the mobile station 102 for maintenance and control of thecommunication session. The signals transmitted by the mobile station 102and the base station 104 for the communication session are transmittedaccording to the first version of the communication standard.

At block 304, the communication session for the mobile station is handedoff from the single zone base station 104 to the mixed zone base station105. The communication session is handed off from the single zone basestation 104 to the zone (e.g., the first zone or the second zone) of themixed zone base station 105 using the same version (e.g., the firstversion or the second version) of the communication standard as thesingle zone base station 104. Thus, in an example, the single zone basestation 104 uses the first version of the communication standard, andthe communication session is handed off to the first zone of the mixedzone base station 105 which also uses the first version of thecommunication standard. In an example, the handoff between the singlezone base station 104 and the first zone of the mixed zone base station105 can be performed in the same manner as a handoff between two singlezone base stations. That is, the mobile station can enter into the firstzone of the mixed zone base station 105 and release the communicationsession from the single zone base station 104 in the conventional mannerof the first version of the communication standard. In an example, thehandoff can be a hard handoff, soft handoff, semi-soft handoff, or otherhandoff.

During the handoff to the first zone of the mixed zone base station 105,the mixed zone base station 105 sends an assignment of a resource (e.g.,a slot in the communication frame) to the mobile station 102 for thecommunication session being handed over. In an example, the mobilestation 102 receives the resource assignment and begins transmitting andreceiving data for the communication session using the resourceassignment. Additionally, once the communication session has been handedoff to the first zone, the mixed zone base station 105 can route datafor the communication session to/from the mobile station 102.

At block 306, the mobile station 102 sends the mixed zone base station105 information indicative of a version of the communication standardsupported by the mobile station 102. In an example, the information issent to the base station 105 during the handoff procedure from thesingle zone base station 104. In an example, the information can includea media access control (MAC) version (e.g., for a 802.16 communicationstandard) or a release number (e.g., for an LTE communication standard).

At block 308, the mixed zone base station 105 receives the informationand determines whether the mobile station 102 can support the secondversion of the communication standard. When the mobile station 102 cansupport the second version of the communication standard, the basestation 105 can switch the communication session for the mobile station102 from the first zone to the second zone. In certain examples, thebase station 105 switches the communication session to the second zonesoon after determining that the mobile station 102 supports the secondversion. The switch to the second zone can be made quickly in order toincrease the time spent in the second zone. In certain examples, thesecond version of the communication standard provides benefits over thefirst version and, therefore, the base station 102 prioritizescommunication sessions for the second zone. In certain examples,however, the base station can hold a communication session in the firstzone due to load balancing, cooperation with neighboring base stations,or other reasons. When the information received from a mobile station(e.g., mobile station 103) indicates that the mobile station 103 doesnot support the second version of the communication standard, the basestation 105 leaves the communication session for the mobile station 103in the first zone.

At block 310, the base station 105 sends a zone switching command to themobile station 102 when the base station 105 decides to switch thecommunication session for the mobile station 102 to the second zone. Themobile station 102 receives the zone switching command and initiatesentry into the second zone in response to the zone switching command. Inan example, the zone switching command initiates an action time beforewhich the control plane for the communication session is to be releasedfrom the first zone. In an example, the action time can include adefined length of time after the zone switching command.

Prior to entry into the second zone, the mobile station 102 obtainssystem information for the second zone from the base station 105. Thesystem information can include information pertaining to the second zonein general and/or information relating to entry into the second zone.For example, the system information can include the version of thecommunication standard used by the second zone, the channel/slot layoutof the second zone, the ranging channel for the second zone, and otherinformation.

In an example, the mixed zone base station 105 broadcasts the systeminformation for the second zone in a downlink control channel in thesecond zone. For example, the system information can be broadcast in asuper-frame header (SFH) in the 802.16 standard. The mobile station 102can scan the second zone to receive the system information from the SFH.In another example, the system information for the second zone isbroadcast in a downlink control channel for both the first zone and thesecond zone. That is, the system information for the second zone isbroadcast in both zones. Thus, the mobile station 102 can receive thesecond zone system information directly from the first zone.

In an example, the mobile station 102 receives the system informationfor the second zone prior to receiving the zone switching command inorder to reduce steps for the mobile station 102 during entry into thesecond zone. In an example, the mobile station 102, the mobile station102 first determines whether the base station 105 provides a second zonein order to receive the system information prior to receiving the zoneswitching command. When the system information regarding the second zoneis broadcast in the first zone, the mobile station 102 can determinethat the second zone is provided and receive the information byreceiving information from the downlink control channel for the firstzone.

When the system information is not broadcast in the first zone, themobile station 102 determines that the base station 105 provides thesecond zone based on information received from the base station 105indicating a version of the communication standard supported by the basestation. In an example, the base station 105 broadcasts informationindicative of the versions of the communication standard used by thefirst zone and the second zone. In an example, the mixed zone basestation 105 broadcasts information in each zone regarding both the firstzone and the second zone. The information indicates that the first zoneuses the first version of the communication standard and that the secondzone uses the second communication standard. In an example, theinformation is broadcast in the downlink control channel for each zone.For example, for a mixed zone base station using the 802.16(e) versionof the communication standard in the first zone and the 802.16(m)version of the communication standard in the second zone, the basestation can broadcast the MAC version of both the first and second zonesin the DCD control message in the first zone and in the SFH controlmessage in the second zone. In an example, therefore, the mobile station102 receives the MAC version of both the first and second zones from theDCD control message in the first zone when the mobile station 102 entersinto the first zone.

In another example, information pertaining to the highest (e.g., mostrecent) version of the communication standard supported by the basestation (e.g., the version used in the second zone) is broadcast in bothzones, while lower versions of the communication standard supported(e.g., the version used in the first zone) are not broadcast. In anexample, the information can include a media access control (MAC)version supported by the respective zone (e.g., in an 802.16communication standard) or a release number (e.g., in a LTEcommunication standard).

In an example, the mobile station 102 receives the informationindicative of the one or more versions of the communication standardsupported by the mixed zone base station 105 from the downlink controlchannel in the first zone of the mixed zone base station 105 to obtainthe information. Once the mobile station 102 receives the version of thecommunication standard used by both the first and second zones, themobile station 102 determines from the received information that themixed zone base station 105 provides two zones. Once the mobile stationhas determined that the base station 105 provides a second zone, themobile station 102 can scan the downlink control channel broadcast inthe second zone to obtain the system information carried therein.Accordingly, in an example, the mobile station 102 does not need toobtain the system information after receiving a zone switching command,and can instead use the previously obtained system information toproceed more quickly to entry into the second zone.

In another example, the mixed zone base station 105 sends the systeminformation via a unicast message to the mobile station 102. Forexample, the mixed zone base station 105 can send the system informationwith the zone switching command. In another example, the mixed zone basestation 105 sends the system information in a separate message to themobile station 102. In an example, the mobile station 102 can send arequest to the base station 105 for entry into the second zone afterdetermining that the base station 105 provides a second zone

At 308, the base station 105 and the mobile station switch at least aportion of the communication session from the first zone to the secondzone. In an example, the base station 105 determines if the presentanchor point for the communication session can support the secondversion of the communication standard. When the present anchor pointcannot support the second version of the communication standard, thebase station 105 switches the anchor point to another anchor point thatcan support the second version of the communication standard. FIGS. 4,5, and 6 illustrate examples of alternative methods for switching atleast a portion of the communication session from the first zone to thesecond zone.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a method 400 for basic switching of thecommunication session from the first zone to the second zone. At block402, the communication session is broken from the first zone in responseto a zone switching command. To break the communication session from thefirst zone, the mobile station 102 and the base station 105 release theresource(s) assigned to the communication session in the first zone.

At block 404, after breaking the communication session from the firstzone, the mobile station 102 performs entry into the second zone of thebase station 105. Entry into the second zone can include ranging ifnecessary to realign timing, frequency offset, and powercharacteristics. Entry can also include renegotiation of capability ofthe mobile station 102. The physical layer configurations of the mobilestation 102 can also be adjusted to operate in the second zone (e.g.,MIMO mode, HARQ timing, etc.). Entry can also include updating thesecurity settings when the first zone and the second zone use distinctkeys management and hierarchy. In an example, key derivation can be usedas the security update method to reduce the airlink overhead/latencyinvolved. Entry can also include remapping of the service flow qualityof service (QoS) parameters. In an example, service flow remappinginformation can be provided to the mobile station 102 in the zoneswitching command to reduce latency during entry into the second zone.Finally, entry can also include adjustment to other data planeoperations (e.g., ARQ stat synchronization, dedicated signaling controlchannel allocation).

At block 406, a resource from the second zone is assigned to thecommunication session after entry into the second zone is completed.Once the resource is assigned, data communications for the communicationsession can be transmitted to/from the mobile station 102 in the secondzone. The base station 105 assigns the resource in the second zone tothe communication session and routes the payload data for thecommunication session to/from the mobile station 102 in the second zoneusing the resource.

Advantageously, the basic zone switching described above with referenceto method 400 uses minimal resources and requires minimal complexity ofboth the mobile station 102 and the base station 105. The basic zoneswitching described above also frees up channel/slots in the first zonequickly once the zone switching is initiated, by quickly breaking thecommunication session from the first zone. The basic zone switching,however, can cause an interruption in the communication session whilethe mobile station 102 is performing entry into the second zone. Theinterruption is caused due to the gap between when the communicationsession is broken from the first zone, and when the communicationsession is assigned resources in the second zone while the mobilestation 102 is performing entry into the second zone.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a method 500 for seamless zoneswitching from the first zone to the second zone. Method 500 takesadvantage of the fact that both the first zone and the second zone areserviced by the same base station 105 to reduce the possibility ofinterruption in the communication session. In method 500, datacommunications for the communication session occur in the first zoneconcurrently with entry into the second zone. Accordingly, the gapbetween when the communications session is broken from the first zoneand when a resource is assigned to the communication session in thesecond zone can be reduced.

At block 502, the mobile station 102 performs entry into the second zonein response to receiving a zone switching command (block 306 in FIG. 3).In an example, the entry signals sent and received between the mobilestation 102 and the base station 105 can perform similar functions forentry as described above for method 400.

At block 504, data communications for the communication session arecontinued in the first zone concurrent with the entry signals for entryinto the second zone. That is, data communications for the communicationsession and entry signals for entry into the second zone can occur inthe same communications frame.

In an example, the signals for entry into the second zone aretransmitted and received in the first zone concurrent with datacommunications for the communication session in the first zone. In anexample, the signals in the first zone for entry into the second zoneare sent with formatting according to the first zone and with datacontents corresponding to the entry into the second zone. For example,the signals in the first zone can include an existing message format forthe first zone with a new message type (not specified in the first zone)that the second version communication standard capable mobile station102 understands as a second zone entry signal. In an example, the newmessage type can be identified to the mobile station 102 by modifyingthe TLV field of the message. In another example, the entry messages canbe carried in a generic layer-2 MAC tunnel that is naturally separatedfrom other MAC signaling messages in the first zone. In an example, anyupdates received by the mobile station 102 specific to the second zoneare cached until the mobile station 102 begins transmitting andreceiving signals in the second zone. That is, any updates received bythe mobile station 102 pertaining to the second zone are not implementeduntil the mobile station 102 begins transmitting and receiving signalsin the second zone. In an example, the zone switching command sets thezone switching action time sufficient for finishing the aboveoperations.

In another example, the signals for entry into the second zone aretransmitted and received in the second zone similar to that described inmethod 400, but the communication session is not broken from the firstzone prior to entry into the second zone. Accordingly, datacommunications for the communication session in the zone occurconcurrently with the entry procedure in the second zone. In an example,the mobile station 102 remains awake for the entire frame (e.g., TDDframe 200) and sends/receives communications in both subframes for thefirst zone and the second zone. In examples where the entry signals aresent and received in the second zone, updates for the mobile station 102can be implemented immediately for future communications in the secondzone.

At block 506, the communication session is broken from the first zone.To break the communication session from the first zone, the mobilestation 102 and the base station 105 release the resource(s) assigned tothe communication session in the first zone. The break can occur duringthe entry procedure or after the entry procedure has completed.

At block 508, a resource from the second zone is assigned to thecommunication session after entry into the second zone is completed.Once the resource has been assigned data communications for thecommunication session can be transmitted to/from the mobile station 102in the second zone. The base station 105 assigns the resource in thesecond zone to the communication session and routes the payload data forthe communication session to/from the mobile station 102 in the secondzone using the resource.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a method 600 for hybrid zone switchingfrom the first zone to the second zone. In this method the control planefor the communication session is switched to the second zone, and thedata plane for the communication session remains in the first zone. Inan example, the entry signals sent and received between the mobilestation 102 and the base station 105 can perform similar functions tothat described above for method 400.

At block 602, the mobile station 102 begins entry into the second zonein response to receiving a zone switching command. In an example, theentry signals sent and received between the mobile station 102 and thebase station 105 can perform similar functions to that described abovefor method 400. Similar to method 500, while the mobile station 102 isperforming entry into the second zone, data communications for thecommunication session can occur concurrently in the first zone. Theentry into the second zone can be performed in either the first zone asdescribed with respect to block 502 of method 500, or in the second zoneas described with respect to block 404 of method 400.

At block 604, data communications for the communication session arecontinued in the first zone concurrent with the entry signals for entryinto the second zone. That is, data communications for the communicationsession and entry signals for entry into the second zone can occur inthe same communications frame.

At block 606, a resource is assigned from the second zone for thecontrol plane for the communication session after entry into the secondzone is complete. At block 608, data communications for thecommunication session are continued in the first zone concurrent withthe control plane signals in the second zone. That is, datacommunications for the communication session and control plane signalscan occur in the same communications frame.

Accordingly, the control plane for the communication session is switchedto the second zone while data communications for the data plane occurconcurrently in the first zone. In an example, the mobile station 102monitors the control signals from the base station 105 in the secondzone. The control signals can include an SFH message, an advanced MAP,and others. Additionally, the mobile station 102 sends ranging,bandwidth requests, and other control signals in the second zone.Transmission and reception of payload data, however, can occur in thefirst zone and/or the second zone, based on the scheduling of the basestation 105. When signals are sent by the mobile station 102 in thefirst zone pertaining to the communication session having a controlplane in the second zone, the signals have a physical layer structure(e.g., permutation, symbol structure) according to the first zone. In anexample, the signals sent in the first zone can trigger lower MACsignaling such as CQI or HARQ feedback. Upper layer MAC context (e.g.,RLC/ARQ, security settings, QoS), however, are maintained and updated inthe second zone with procedures according to the second zone.

Advantageously, method 600 enables the mobile station 102 to utilizefeatures of the second version of the communication standard in thesecond zone, while allowing the base station 105 flexibility inassigning and allocating resources to the mobile station 102 in thefirst zone. This can be particularly advantageous for load balancingbetween the first zone and the second zone.

In an example, the zone switching methods described herein are used forload balancing between zones within a base station. For example, when asecond zone has a load at or near capacity and another mobile station102 is handed over to the second zone, the method 600 in FIG. 6 can beimplemented to provide functionality according to the second zone, whilemaintaining the data resource allocation in the first zone.Additionally, when one of the zones is at or reaching capacity, the basestation 105 can send a zone switching command to a mobile station 102within the at or near capacity zone to free up some resources in thatzone. That is, the zone switching operations can be performed with orwithout a direct handoff from a neighboring base station.

Embodiments may be implemented in one or a combination of hardware,firmware and software. Embodiments may also be implemented asinstructions stored on a computer-readable medium, which may be read andexecuted by at least one processing circuitry to perform the operationsdescribed herein. A computer-readable medium may include any mechanismfor storing in a form readable by a machine (e.g., a computer). Forexample, a computer-readable medium may include read-only memory (ROM),random-access memory (RAM), magnetic disk storage media, optical storagemedia, flash-memory devices, and other storage devices and media.

The Abstract is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. Section 1.72(b)requiring an abstract that will allow the reader to ascertain the natureand gist of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with theunderstanding that it will not be used to limit or interpret the scopeor meaning of the claims. The following claims are hereby incorporatedinto the detailed description, with each claim standing on its own as aseparate embodiment.

1. A method for wireless communication performed by a mobile station,the method comprising: receiving an assignment of a first resource for acommunication session, the first resource being provided from a firstzone of a multi-zone base station, wherein communications in the firstzone use a first version of a communication standard; receiving acommand in the first zone to switch the communication session to thesecond zone of the multi-zone base station, wherein communications inthe second zone use a second version of the communication standard, andwherein the first version of the communication standard and the secondversion of the communication standard are provided from a commonstandards family; receiving system information for the second zone ofthe multi-zone base station; and switching at least a portion of thecommunication session to the second zone of the multi-zone base stationusing the system information for the second zone.
 2. The method of claim1, comprising: performing a handoff of the communication session from asingle zone base station to the first zone of the multi-zone basestation, the single zone base station using the first version of thecommunication standard.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the systeminformation for the second zone includes information to allow the mobilestation to switch at least a portion of the communication session to thesecond zone.
 4. The method of claim 1, comprising: receiving one of amedia access control (MAC) version and a release number from themulti-zone base station prior to receiving the zone switching command;and determining whether the multi-zone base station provides a secondzone based on the one of the MAC version and the release number, whereinwhen the one of the MAC version and the release number indicates thatthe multi-zone base station provides a second zone, scanning a downlinkcontrol channel for the system information for the second zone.
 5. Themethod of claim 1, comprising: transmitting one of a media accesscontrol (MAC) version and a release number to the multi-zone basestation, wherein the one of a MAC version and a release numbercorresponds to one of the first version and the second version of thecommunication standard in which the mobile station is capable of using.6. The method of claim 1, comprising: releasing the first resource forthe communication session; transmitting a signal in the second zone forentering into the second zone after releasing the first resource for thecommunication session; and receiving an assignment of a second resourcefor the communication session after completion of entering into thesecond zone, the second resource from the second zone.
 7. The method ofclaim 1, comprising: entering into the second zone; transmitting asignal in the first zone for the communication session concurrent withentering into the second zone; releasing the first resource for thecommunication session after initiation of entering into the second zone;and receiving an assignment of a second resource for the communicationsession after completion of entering into the second zone, the secondresource from the second zone.
 8. The method of claim 1, comprising:entering into the second zone; switching a control plane for thecommunication session to the second zone; and transmitting a data signalfor the communication session in the first zone concurrently withreceiving a control signal for the communication session in the secondzone.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the common standards family isprovided from one of an IEEE 802.16 standards family, a Wideband CodeDivision Multiple Access (WCDMA) standards family, a 3rd GenerationPartnership Project (3GPP) High Speed Packet Access (HSPA) standardsfamily, or a 3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE) standards family.
 10. Amethod for wireless communication performed by a mobile station, themethod comprising: receiving an assignment of a first resource for acommunication session, the first resource being provided from a firstzone of a base station, wherein communications in the first zone use afirst version of a communication standard; receiving a command in thefirst zone to switch the communication session to the second zone of thebase station, wherein communications in the second zone use a secondversion of the communication standard; receiving system information forthe second zone of the base station; and switching at least a portion ofthe communication session to the second zone of the base station usingthe system information for the second zone; entering into the secondzone, wherein entering into the second zone includes: transmitting asignal in the first zone having a message type corresponding to thesecond zone; and receiving a signal in the first zone having a messagetype corresponding to the second zone; transmitting a signal in thefirst zone for the communication session concurrent with entering intothe second zone; releasing the first resource for the communicationsession after initiation of entering into the second zone; and receivingan assignment of a second resource for the communication session aftercompletion of entering into the second zone, the second resource beingprovided from the second zone.
 11. The method of claim 10, whereintransmitting a signal in the first zone having a message typecorresponding to the second zone includes transmitting a signal having amessage type not specified in the first zone.
 12. A wireless devicecomprising: an RF transceiver for transmitting and receiving signalsfrom a base station; processing circuitry communicatively coupled to theRF transceiver and configured to: receive an assignment of a firstresource for a communication session, the first resource from a firstzone of a multi-zone base station, wherein communications in the firstzone use a first version of a communication standard; receive a commandin the first zone to switch the communication session to the second zoneof the multi-zone base station, wherein communications in the secondzone use a second version of the communication standard, and wherein thefirst version of the communication standard and the second version ofthe communication standard are provided from a common standards family;receive system information for the second zone of the multi-zone basestation; and switch at least a portion of the communication session tothe second zone of the multi-zone base station.
 13. The wireless deviceof claim 12, wherein the processing circuitry is configured to: performa handoff of the communication session from a single zone base stationto the first zone of the multi-zone base station, the single zone basestation using the first version of the communication standard.
 14. Thewireless device of claim 12, wherein the processing circuitry isconfigured to: receive one of a media access control (MAC) version and arelease number from the multi-zone base station prior to receiving thezone switching command; and determine whether the second zone isprovided by the multi-zone base station based on the media accesscontrol (MAC) version and the release number, wherein when the one ofthe MAC version and the release number indicates that the multi-zonebase station provides a second zone, the processing circuitry isconfigured to scan a downlink control channel for the system informationfor the second zone.
 15. The wireless device of claim 12, wherein theprocessing circuitry is configured to: send one of a media accesscontrol (MAC) version and a release number to the multi-zone basestation, wherein the one of a MAC version and a release numbercorrespond to one of the first version and the second version of thecommunication standard in which the mobile station is capable of using.16. The wireless device of claim 12, wherein the processing circuitry isconfigured to: release the first resource for the communication sessionin response to a zone switching command; send a signal in the secondzone for entering into the second zone after releasing the firstresource for the communication session; and receive an assignment of asecond resource for the communication session after completion ofentering into the second zone, the second resource from the second zone.17. The wireless device of claim 12, wherein the processing circuitry isconfigured to: enter into the second zone in response to the command;send a signal in the first zone for the communication session concurrentwith entering into the second zone; release the first resource for thecommunication session after initiation of entering into the second zone;and receive an assignment of a second resource for the communicationsession after completing of entering into the second zone, the secondresource from the second zone.
 18. The wireless device of claim 17,wherein the processing circuitry is configured to enter into the secondzone by: sending a signal in the first zone having a message typecorresponding to the second zone; and receiving a signal in the firstzone having a message type corresponding to the second zone.
 19. Thewireless device of claim 12, wherein the processing circuitry isconfigured to: enter into the second zone in response to the command;switch a control plane for the communication session to the second zone;and send a data signal for the communication session in the first zonewhile concurrently receiving a control signal for the communicationsession in the second zone.
 20. The wireless device of claim 12, whereinthe common standards family is provided from one of: an IEEE 802.16standards family, a 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) WidebandCode Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) standards family, a 3GPP HighSpeed Packet Access (HSPA) standards family, or a 3GPP Long TermEvolution (LTE) standards family.